In appreciation of their many services to the members of the General
Assembly, the President and President pro tempore recognized the
following-named pages who are completing their services today and presented
them with commemorative posters:

Callie-Rae
Cashin of Westmore

Eliza
Dorney of Richmond

Kaylie-Ann
Flannigan of Castleton

Whitney
Furnholm of New Haven

Sam
Hensel-Hunter of Cavendish

Nickolas
Johnson of Middlesex

Emma
Mae Masi of Wolcott

Gabriel
Sheir of Montpelier

Kate
Stevens of Waterbury

Monica
Wentz of Stowe

Bills
Referred

House bills of the following titles were severally read the first time
and referred:

H. 685.

An act relating to enforcement of environmental laws.

To the Committee on Natural Resources and Energy.

H. 711.

An act relating to agricultural, forestry and horticultural education.

To the Committee on Rules.

H. 887.

An act relating to health care reform.

To the Committee on Health and Welfare.

H. 890.

An act relating to compensation for certain state employees.

To the Committee on Government Operations.

H. 891.

An act relating to making appropriations for the support of government.

To the Committee on Appropriations.

Third
Reading Ordered; Rules Suspended; Bill Passed in Concurrence

H. 880.

Senator Flanagan, for the Committee on Government Operations, to which
was referred House bill entitled:

An act relating to the Vermont pension investment committee.

Reported that the bill ought to pass in concurrence.

Senator Bartlett, for the Committee on Appropriations, to which the bill
was referred, reported recommending that the bill ought to pass in concurrence

Thereupon, the bill was read the second time by title only pursuant to
Rule 43, and third reading of the bill was ordered on a roll call, Yeas
29, Nays 0.

Senator Condos having demanded the yeas and nays, they were taken and are
as follows:

Appearing on the Calendar for notice, on motion of Senator Shumlin, the
rules were suspended and House bill entitled:

An act relating to state purchasing of apparel, footwear or textiles.

Was taken up for immediate consideration.

Senator
Coppenrath, for the Committee on Government Operations, to which the bill was
referred, reported recommending that the Senate propose to the House to amend
the bill as follows:

First: In Sec. 1, subdivision (b)(2), by striking out the
following: “certify that they and, to the best of their knowledge,” and
inserting in lieu thereof the following: provide certification that

Second: In Sec. 3, 29 V.S.A. § 922(a), in the first sentence, by
striking out the following: “certify that, to the best of the bidder’s
knowledge, each” and inserting in lieu thereof the following: provide
certification from each supplier that the

Third: By adding a new section to be numbered Sec. 4 to read as
follows:

Sec. 4.
EFFECTIVE DATE

This act shall take effect upon passage.

And that the bill ought to pass in concurrence with such proposals of
amendment.

Thereupon, the bill was read the second time by title only pursuant to
Rule 43, the proposals of amendment were collectively agreed to, and third
reading of the bill was ordered.

Thereupon, on motion of Senator Shumlin, the rules were suspended and the
bill was placed on all remaining stages of its passage in concurrence with
proposals of amendment forthwith.

Thereupon,
the bill was read a third time and passed in concurrence with proposals of
amendment.

Bill
Amended; Third Reading Ordered

S. 350.

Senator Lyons, for the Committee on Natural Resources and Energy, to
which was referred Senate bill entitled:

An act relating to energy independence and economic prosperity.

Reported
recommending that the bill be amended by striking out all after the enacting
clause and inserting in lieu thereof the following:

* * * State Agency
Energy Plan * * *

Sec. 1. 3 V.S.A. §
2291(c) is amended to read:

(c) The
secretary of administration with the cooperation of the commissioners of public
service and of buildings and general services shall develop and oversee the
implementation of a state agency energy plan for state government. The plan
shall be adopted by June 30, 2005, modified as necessary, and readopted by the
secretary on or before January 15 of each fifth year subsequent to 2005. The
plan shall accomplish the following objectives and requirements:

(1) To
conserve resources, save energy, and reduce pollution. The plan shall devise
strategies to identify to the greatest extent feasible, all opportunities for
conservation of resources through environmentally and economically sound
infrastructure development, purchasing, and fleet management, and investments
in renewable energy and energy efficiency available to the state which are cost
effective on a life cycle cost basis.

(2) To
consider state policies and operations that affect energy use.

(3) To
devise a strategy to implement or acquire all prudent opportunities and
investments in as prompt and efficient a manner as possible.

(4) To
include appropriate provisions for monitoring resource and energy use and
evaluating the impact of measures undertaken.

(5) To
identify education, management, and other relevant policy changes that are a
part of the implementation strategy.

(6) To
devise a strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The plan shall include
steps to encourage more efficient trip planning, to reduce the average fuel
consumption of the state fleet, and to encourage alternatives to solo-commuting
state employees for commuting and job-related travel.

(7) To develop a comprehensive program for the
cost-effective installation of solar energy equipment on state buildings,
pursuant to which the department of public service, working in conjunction with
the department of buildings and general services, shall ensure that solar
energy equipment is installed no later than October 1, 2010 on all state
buildings, state parking facilities, and state-owned swimming pools that are
heated with fossil fuels or electricity, where feasible.

(A) For purposes of this subdivision, it is
feasible to install solar energy equipment if adequate space on or adjacent to
a building is available, if the solar energy equipment is cost-effective, and
if funding is available from the state or another source.

(B) Any solar energy equipment installed pursuant
to this subdivision shall meet applicable standards and requirements imposed by
state and local permitting authorities.

(C) The department of buildings and general
services shall establish a schedule designating when solar energy equipment
will be installed on each building and facility, with priority given to
buildings and facilities where installation is most feasible.

(D) Solar energy equipment shall be installed,
where feasible, as part of the construction of all state buildings and state
parking facilities for which construction commences on or after October 1,
2010.

(E) The department of buildings and general
services, in consultation with the department of public service, may adopt
policies and procedures for the purposes of this subdivision.

(F) For purposes of this subdivision, the
following terms have the following meanings:

(i) “Cost-effective” means that the present value
of the savings generated over the life of the solar energy system, including
consideration of the value of the energy produced during peak and off-peak
demand periods and the value of a reliable energy supply not subject to price
volatility, exceeds the present value cost of the solar energy equipment by not
less than 10 percent. The present value cost of the solar energy equipment does
not include the cost of unrelated building components. The department, in making
the present value assessment, shall obtain interest rates, discount rates, and
consumer price index figures from the state treasurer, and shall take into
consideration air emission reduction benefits and the value of stable energy
costs.

(ii) “Solar energy equipment” means equipment the
primary purpose of which is to provide for the collection, conversion, storage,
or control of solar energy for the purpose of heat production, electricity
production, or simultaneous heat and electricity production, or for the purpose
of limiting the extent to which the building is heated by the sun. Equipment
used for limiting solar gain shall include shades and curtains, certain window
film, and turf roofs.

(3) Providing cost-share assistance for
farms to develop and implement nutrient management plans for smaller dairy
farms and continuing to provide annual assistance so that existing plans on
medium-sized farms continue to be implemented.

(4) Providing cost-share assistance under
the farm agronomic practices program so that farms implement cover crops and
other soil erosion and land cover practices.

(d) The secretary shall continue the agency’s methane
capture program and shall collaborate with the Vermont resource trust with
regard to the availability of additional funds for these purposes. The goal of
the methane digester portion of the program shall be to digest and use 15
percent of the state’s dairy cattle manure by 2012, and 50 percent by 2028.
The goal of a second aspect of this emissions reduction program shall be to
increase the percentage of manure composted on poultry and on appropriate
livestock farms to 25 percent by 2012, and 50 percent by 2028.

(e) The secretary shall develop recommendations for
measures to reduce the loss and fragmentation of primary agricultural soils
located in rural areas. The state’s goal is to reduce the rate at which
agricultural lands are converted to development by 25 percent by 2012 and to
reduce that rate by 50 percent by 2020.

*
* * Air Quality * * *

Sec. 3. 10 V.S.A. § 552
is amended to read:

§ 552. DEFINITIONS

As used in
this chapter:

*
* *

(11) “Greenhouse gas” means any
chemical or physical substance that is emitted into the air and that the
secretary may reasonably anticipate to cause or contribute to climate change,
including, but not limited to, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide,
hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride.

Sec. 4. 10 V.S.A. § 580 is added to read:

§ 580. GREENHOUSE GAS INVENTORIES; REGISTRY

(a) Inventory and forecasting. The
secretary shall work, in conjunction with other states or a regional
consortium, to establish a periodic, consistent, and complete inventory of
greenhouse gas emissions and sinks, and an accompanying forecast of future
greenhouse gas emissions in at least five- and ten-year increments, out to the
year 2030. The initial version of this inventory shall be published by no later
than July 1, 2009, and updates shall be published triennially thereafter. The
forecast shall reflect projected growth, as well as the implementation of
scheduled policy initiatives. The inventory shall reflect all natural- and
human-caused emissions generated within the state, as well as emissions
associated with energy imported and consumed in the state. The secretary shall
consult with the Vermont resource trust with regard to the trust providing
funding to assist in implementation of this section.

(b) Emissions reporting. By no later
than January 15, 2009, the secretary shall develop rules to require, in phases,
the reporting and verification of statewide greenhouse gas emissions and to
monitor and eventually enforce compliance with this program. The requirements
shall include provisions for owner reporting according to an accessible and
easy-to-understand format that will yield information with regard to all
greenhouse gas emissions in a type and format that a regional registry can
accommodate. In addition, the rules shall:

(1) Require the monitoring and annual public
reporting of greenhouse gas emissions from all significant sources beginning
with the sources or categories of sources that contribute the most to statewide
emissions. Reporting should be required on an organization-wide basis within
the state, as well as on a significant-emitter-by-significant-emitter basis.
At any time before an entity is subject to reporting requirements under the
rules, the entity shall be allowed to report emissions associated with its own
activities and with any programs it may implement in order to reduce its
emissions.

(2) Account for greenhouse gas emissions from all
electricity consumed in the state, including transmission and distribution line
losses from electricity generated within the state or imported from outside the
state.

(3) Ensure rigorous and consistent accounting of
emissions, and provide reporting tools and formats to ensure collection of
necessary data. Emission reports shall be verified through self-certification
and shall be subject to spot checks by the department of environmental
conservation; however, in order to qualify for future registry purposes,
reports should undergo third party verification. Reporting of emissions from
greenhouse gas reduction projects shall qualify for reporting when they are
identified as such and adhere to equally rigorous quantification standards.

(c) Registry. The secretary shall work, in
conjunction with other states or a regional consortium, to establish a regional
or national greenhouse gas registry that allows for the greatest possible
flexibility in order to accommodate the range of greenhouse gas mitigation
approaches that are likely to evolve.

(1) The registry shall be designed to apply to
the entire state and to as large a geographic area beyond state boundaries as
is possible.

(2) It shall accommodate as broad an array of
sectors, sources, facilities and approaches as is possible, and shall allow
sources to start as far back in time as is permitted by good data, affirmed by
third-party verification.

(3) It shall accommodate registration of
project-based reductions or “offsets” that are equally rigorously quantified.

(4) It shall incorporate safeguards adequate to
ensure that reductions are not double-counted by multiple registry
participants, and to ensure appropriate transparency.

(5) The state and its political subdivisions
shall be able to participate in the registry for purposes of registering
reductions associated with their programs, direct activities, or efforts,
including the registration of emission reductions associated with the
stationary and mobile sources they own, lease, or operate. Similarly, the
state and its political subdivisions should be allowed to participate in
emission trading if and when such a program is developed and authorized.

(d) Rules. The secretary may adopt rules to
implement the provisions of this section and shall review existing and proposed
international, federal, and state greenhouse gas emission reporting programs
and make reasonable efforts to promote consistency among the programs
established pursuant to this section and other programs, and to streamline
reporting requirements on greenhouse gas emission sources. Nothing in this
section shall limit a state agency from adopting any rule within its authority.

*
* * Pollution Abatement Facilities * * *

Sec. 5. 10
V.S.A. § 1278(a) is amended to read:

(a) Findings. The general assembly finds that the state shall protect Vermont’s lakes, rivers, and streams from pollution by implementing programs to prevent
sewage spills to Vermont waters and by requiring emergency planning to limit
the damage from spills which do occur. In addition, the general assembly
finds it to be cost-effective and generally beneficial to the environment to
continue state efforts to ensure energy efficiency in the operation of
treatment facilities.

*
* * Solid Waste Planning * * *

Sec. 6. 10
V.S.A. § 6604(a) and (c) are amended to read:

(a) No
later than April 30, 1988 the secretary shall publish and adopt, after notice
and public hearing pursuant to chapter 25 of Title 3, a solid waste management
plan which sets forth a comprehensive state-wide strategy for the management of
waste, including whey. No later than July 1, 1991, the secretary shall publish
and adopt, after notice and public hearing pursuant to chapter 25 of Title 3, a
hazardous waste management plan, which sets forth a comprehensive statewide
strategy for the management of hazardous waste.

(1)(A)
The plans shall be based upon the following priorities, in descending order:

(A)(i) the greatest feasible
reduction in the amount of waste generated;

(B)(ii) reuse and recycling of
waste to reduce to the greatest extent feasible the volume remaining for
processing and disposal;

(C)(iii) waste processing to
reduce the volume or toxicity of the waste stream necessary for disposal;

(D)(iv) land disposal of the
residuals.

(B) Processing and
disposal alternatives shall be preferred which do not foreclose the future
ability of the state to reduce, reuse and recycle waste. In determining
feasibility, the secretary shall evaluate alternatives in terms of their
expected life-cycle costs.

(2) The
plans shall be revised at least once every five years and shall include:

(A) methods
to reduce and remove material from the waste stream, including commercially
generated and other organic wastes, used clothing, and construction and
demolition debris, and to separate, collect, and recycle, treat or
dispose of specific waste materials that create environmental, health, safety,
or management problems, including, but not limited to, tires, batteries, obsolete
electronic equipment, and unregulated hazardous wastes. These portions of
the plans shall include strategies to assure recycling in the state, and to
prevent the incineration or other disposal of marketable recyclables. They
shall consider both the current solid waste stream and its projected changes,
and shall be based on:

(i) an
analysis of the volume and nature of wastes generated in the state, the sources
of those wastes, and the current fate or disposition of those wastes;

(ii) an
assessment of the feasibility and cost of recycling each type of waste,
including an assessment of the feasibility of providing the option of single
source recycling;

(iii) a
survey of existing and potential markets for each type of waste that can be
recycled;

(B) a
proposal for the development of facilities and programs necessary at the state,
regional or local level to achieve the priorities identified in subdivision
(a)(1) of this section. Particular consideration shall be given to the need
for additional regional or local composting facilities, the need to expand the
collection of commercially generated organic wastes, and the cost effectiveness
of developing single stream waste management infrastructure adequate to serve
the entire population, which may include material recovery centers. These
portions of the plan shall be based, in part, on an assessment of the status,
capacity, and life expectancy of existing treatment and disposal facilities,
and they shall include siting criteria for waste management facilities, and shall
establish requirements for full public involvement.

(3) A
goal of the plans shall be to reach a per-capita diversion rate of 35 percent
by 2012 and 50 percent by 2028. The effectiveness of the plans shall be
assessed no less frequently than every three years, with regard to progress in
meeting these goals, and they shall be revised to be more aggressive if trends
indicate the goals may not be met, with consideration given to instituting
additional waste diversion measures, including the establishment of a
source-separated organics waste program and disallowing the landfilling of
organic wastes.

(c) The
secretary shall hold public hearings, perform studies as required, conduct
ongoing analyses, develop and promote prototype residential and commercial waste
prevention programs, develop sector-specific waste minimization strategies in
conjunction with affected parties and local communities, develop a statewide
communications portal that will promote and keep citizens aware of effective
waste reduction and minimization initiatives, and make recommendations to
the general assembly with respect to the development of accessible,
cost-effective and sustainable policies, strategies and educational and media
campaigns that will promote cultural and behavioral changes across the state,
leading to a reduction of the waste stream. In this process, the secretary
shall consult with manufacturers of commercial products and of packaging used
with commercial products, retail sales enterprises, health and environmental advocates,
waste management specialists, the general public, and state agencies. The goal
of the process is to ensure that packaging used and products sold in the state
are not an undue burden to the state’s ability to manage its waste. The
secretary shall work with solid waste management districts to determine if
cost‑effective engineering support could be provided to businesses
wishing to reduce packaging and shipping material costs and shall seek
voluntary changes on the part of the industrial and commercial sector in both
their practices and the products they sell, so as to serve the purposes of this
section. In this process, the secretary shall encourage manufacturers to
assure that end-of-life management solutions for their products are reasonable
and consistent with the goal of reducing the environmental impact of waste.
The secretary may obtain voluntary compliance schedules from the
appropriate industry or commercial enterprise, and shall entertain
recommendations for alternative approaches. The secretary shall report at the
beginning of each biennium to the general assembly, with any recommendations or
options for legislative consideration.

* * *

*
* * Transportation * * *

Sec. 7. 19
V.S.A. § 10b is amended to read:

§ 10b. STATEMENT OF
POLICY; GENERAL

(a) The
agency shall be the responsible agency of the state for the development of
transportation policy. It shall develop a mission statement to reflect state
transportation policy encompassing all modes of transportation, developing
and adhering to performance standards which address the need for
transportation projects that will improve the state’s economic infrastructure,
as well as the use of resources in efficient, coordinated, cost effective, and
environmentally sound ways. The overall scoping of agency projects shall
include a cost-benefit analysis weighing conservation factors, efficiency
opportunities, and congestion mitigation strategies. Transportation
development shall be managed and executed toward specific performance standards
to reduce vehicular miles traveled and toward increasing public transportation
ridership. The agency shall coordinate education efforts with those of the
Vermont resource trust established under 30 V.S.A. § 236 and those of local and
regional planning entities to address conservation and efficiency opportunities
and practices in local and regional transportation, and to support employer or
local or regional government-led conservation, efficiency, rideshare, and
bicycle programs and other innovative transportation advances, especially
employer-based incentives.

(b) In developing the state’s annual transportation program, the agency
shall, consistent with the planning goals listed in 24 V.S.A. § 4302 as amended
by No. 200 of the Acts of the 1987 Adj. Sess. (1988) and with appropriate
consideration to local, regional, and state agency plans:

(1) Develop or incorporate designs that provide safe and efficient
transportation and promote economic opportunities for Vermonters and the best
use of the state’s environmental and historic resources.

(2) Manage available funding to:

(A) give priority to preserving the functionality of the existing
transportation infrastructure; and

(B) adhere to credible project delivery schedules.

* * *

Sec. 8. 19
V.S.A. § 10e is amended to read:

§ 10e.
STATEMENT OF POLICY; RAILROADS

(a) The general assembly recognizes that rail service, both passenger
and freight, is an integral part of the state’s transportation network.
Accordingly, it is hereby declared to be the policy of the state of Vermont:

(1) toTo provide opportunities for rail passenger
services by cooperating with the federal government, other states, and
providers of those services, with priority to be given to the services likely
to complement Vermont’s economic development efforts and meet the needs of the
traveling public;. It is a goal of the state to increase passenger
rail use within the state by 100 percent by 2018 and by 200 percent by 2028.

(2) toTo preserve and modernize for continued freight
railroad service those railroad lines, both within the state of Vermont and
extending into adjoining states, which directly affect the economy of the state
or provide connections to other railroad lines which directly affect the
economy of the state;. It is a goal of the state to increase the use
of rail freight within the state by 50 percent by 2018 and by 100 percent by
2028.

(3) inIn those cases where continuation of freight
railroad service is not economically feasible under present conditions, to
preserve established railroad rights-of-way for future reactivation of railroad
service, trail corridors, and other public purposes not inconsistent with
future reactivation of railroad service; and.

(5) To maintain and improve intercity bus and rail and freight and
commuter rail services, and the necessary intermodal connections, and to
increase the efficiency of equipment and the extent to which equipment
selection and operation can limit or avoid the emission of greenhouse gases.

(6) To plan to accommodate increased ridership with city‑to‑city
and commuter rail service.

(b) To complement the regular maintenance efforts of the
lessee/operators of state-owned railroads, taking into account each line’s
long-term importance to the state’s transportation network, economic
development, the resources available to the lessee/operator and relevant
provisions of leases and other agreements, the agency may develop programs to
assist in major rehabilitation or replacement of obsolete bridges, structures,
rails, and other fixtures.

Sec. 9. 19
V.S.A. § 10f is amended to read:

§ 10f. STATEMENT OF
POLICY; PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

(a) It
shall be the state’s policy to make maximum use of available federal funds for
the support of public transportation. State operating support funds shall be
included in agency operating budgets to the extent that funds are available. It
shall be the state’s policy to support the maintenance of existing public transportation
services and the creation of new service that is accessible and affordable to
those who use these services.

(b) The agency of transportation shall develop and periodically update a
plan for investment in public transportation services and infrastructure as
part of an integrated transportation system consistent with the goals
established in 24 V.S.A. § 5083, and regional transportation development plan
proposals and regional plans as required by 24 V.S.A. § 5089.

(1) The plan shall include components that shall coordinate
rideshare, public transit, park and ride, interstate, and bicycle and
pedestrian planning and investment at the state, regional, and local levels,
and create or expand regional connections within the state, in order to maximize
interregional ridesharing and access to public transit.

(2) The agency shall develop and make available to the traveling
public a statewide geographic information system (GIS) database that
coordinates all transportation options, facilities, and programs, and that
provides web-based access to all modes of transportation and all
inter-connection opportunities.

Sec. 10. 19 V.S.A. § 2310 is amended to read:

§ 2310. PAVEMENT OF
HIGHWAY SHOULDERS

(a)
Notwithstanding the provisions of section 10c of this title, it is the policy
of the state to provide paved shoulders on major state highways with the intent
to develop an integrated bicycle route system and to make it easier and
safer for pedestrian traffic. This shall not apply to the interstate
highway and certain other limited access highways.

(b) Any
construction, or reconstruction, including upgrading and resurfacing projects
on these highways, shall include paved shoulders unless the agency
deems certain sections to be cost prohibitivemaintain or improve
existing access and road surface conditions for bicycles and pedestrians along
the shoulders of these highways.

*
* * Municipal Ordinances * * *

Sec. 11. 24 V.S.A. §
2291a is added to read:

§ 2291a. CLOTHESLINES

Notwithstanding
any provision of law to the contrary, no municipality, by ordinance,
resolution, or other enactment, shall prohibit or have the effect of
prohibiting the installation of clotheslines. This section shall not apply to
patio railings in condominiums, cooperatives, or apartments.

*
* * Zoning * * *

Sec. 12. 24 V.S.A. § 4413(g) is added to read:

(g) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, a
bylaw adopted under this chapter shall not prohibit or have the effect of
prohibiting the installation of clotheslines.

Sec. 13. 24
V.S.A. § 4414 is amended to read:

§ 4414. ZONING;
PERMISSIBLE TYPES OF REGULATIONS

Any of the
following types of regulations may be adopted by a municipality in its bylaws
in conformance with the plan and for the purposes established in section 4302 of
this title.

*
* *

(14) Green building incentives. A municipality may encourage the use
of low‑embodied energy in construction materials, planned neighborhood
developments that allow for reduced use of fuel for transportation, and
increased use of renewable technology by providing for reduced permit review or
increased density, or both, for:

(A) homes that meet standards established in the Vermont builds
greener program–leadership in energy and environmental design (LEED) for homes,
or similar programs;

(B)
commercial or industrial buildings that meet significantly advanced
construction standards for efficiency, as described in LEED, or other
applicable advanced construction efficiency standards that address issues such
as building size, use of renewable energy sources, compact development
patterns, proximity to services, minimizing energy in transporting materials,
use of local resources, use of embodied energy, and the use of comprehensive
analytical tools that will result in structures and usage patterns that require
less energy.

*
* * Covenants * * *

Sec. 14. 27 V.S.A. § 544 is added to read:

§ 544. CLOTHESLINES

(a) No deed restrictions,
covenants, or similar binding agreements running with the land shall prohibit
or have the effect of prohibiting clotheslines from being installed on
buildings erected on the lots or parcels covered by the deed restrictions,
covenants, or binding agreements. A property owner may not be denied
permission to install clotheslines by any entity granted the power or right in
any deed restriction, covenant, or similar binding agreement to approve,
forbid, control, or direct alteration of property with respect to residential
dwellings not exceeding three stories in height.

(b) In any litigation
arising under the provisions of this section, the prevailing party shall be
entitled to costs and reasonable attorney’s fees.

(c) The legislative intent
in enacting this section is to protect the public health, safety, and welfare
by encouraging the development and use of renewable resources in order to
conserve and protect the value of land, buildings, and resources by preventing
the adoption of measures which will have the ultimate effect, however
unintended, of driving the costs of owning and operating commercial or
residential property beyond the capacity of private owners to maintain. This
section shall not apply to patio railings in condominiums, cooperatives, or
apartments.

*
* * Combined Heat and Power * * *

Sec. 15. 30
V.S.A. § 202(i) is added to read:

(i) It shall be a goal of the electrical energy plan to assure, by
2028, that at least 60 MW of power are generated within the state by combined
heat and power (CHP) facilities powered by renewable fuels. In order to meet
this goal, the plan shall include incentives for development and strategies to
identify locations in the state that would be suitable for CHP. The plan shall
include strategies to assure the consideration of CHP potential during any
process related to the expansion of natural gas services in the state.

* * * Public Service
Board * * *

Sec. 16. 30
V.S.A. § 209(b) is amended to read:

(b) The
provisions of section 218 of this title notwithstanding, the public service
board shall, under sections 803-804 of Title 3, adopt rules applicable to
companies subject to this chapter which:

* * *

(2)
Regulate or prescribe the grounds upon which the companies may disconnect or
refuse to reconnect service to customers; and

(3)
Regulate and prescribe reasonable procedures used by companies in disconnecting
or reconnecting services and billing customers in regard thereto; and

(4) Encourage the in-state deployment of farm biogas energy systems by
authorizing contributions in aid of construction for electric service extensions
to farms, as
necessary to ensure the economic viability of farm biogas systems that utilize
on-farm manure as the primary input, with the costs of those line extensions
included in rates. The rules shall include standards regarding the length of
line extensions that may be eligible for assistance, and may relate the length
of an eligible line extension to the size of a particular facility.

Sec. 17. 30
V.S.A. § 218(e) is added to read:

(e) The board shall allow a company to recover a premium on the
allowed return on equity for the company’s investment in new renewable energy
generation or new combined heat and power projects located in Vermont.

*
* * Least-Cost Planning * * *

Sec. 18. 30
V.S.A. § 218c(a) is amended to read:

(a)(1) A “least cost integrated plan” for a regulated electric or gas
utility is a plan for meeting the public’s need for energy services, after
safety concerns are addressed, at the lowest present value life cycle cost,
including environmental and economic costs, through a strategy combining
investments and expenditures on energy supply, transmission and distribution
capacity, transmission and distribution efficiency, and comprehensive energy
efficiency programs. Economic costs shall be determined with due regard to
the information developed under the provisions of 10 V.S.A. § 580, establishing
a greenhouse gas registry, to the state’s progress in meeting its greenhouse
gas reduction goals, and to the value of the financial risks associated with
greenhouse gas emissions from various power sources.

*
* *

*
* * Cap and Trade Program * * *

Sec. 19. 30
V.S.A. § 255 is amended to read:

§ 255. REGIONAL
COORDINATION TO REDUCE GREENHOUSE GASES

(a)
Legislative findings. The general assembly finds:

(1) There
is a growing scientific consensus that the increased anthropogenic emissions of
greenhouse gases are enhancing the natural greenhouse effect, resulting in
changes in the earth’s climate.

(3) A
carbon constraint on fossil fuel-fired electricity generation and on other
forms of fossil fuel consumption and the development of a CO2 allowance
trading mechanism will create a strong incentive for the creation and
deployment of more efficient fuel-burning technologies, renewable resources,
and end-use efficiency resources and will lead to lower dependence on imported
fossil fuels.

(4) Absent
federal action, a number of states are taking actions to work regionally to
reduce power sector carbon emissions.

(5) Vermont has joined with at least six other states to design the Regional Greenhouse Gas
Initiative (RGGI), and, in 2005, Vermont’s governor signed a memorandum of
understanding (MOU) signaling Vermont’s intention to develop rules and programs
to participate in RGGI.

(6) It is
crucial to manage Vermont’s implementation of RGGI and its consumption of
fossil fuels for transportation, residential and commercial heating, and
industrial processes, so as to maximize the state’s contribution to lowering
carbon emissions while:

(A) minimizing impacts on
electric system reliability and unnecessary costs to Vermont power consumers;

(B)
assuring transportation needs are able to be met at affordable prices;

(7) The
accelerated deployment of low-cost thermal and electrical energy
efficiency,and the strategic use of low- and zero-carbon
generation, the selective use of switching fuel sources, and the design and
use of systems that limit vehicular miles travelled and increase vehicular
efficiency, are the best means to achieve these goals.

(8) It is
crucial that funds made available from operation of a regional carbon credits
cap and trade system be devoted to the benefit of Vermont power consumers
through investments in a strategic portfolio of energy efficiency and
low-carbon generation resources.

(b) Cap and
trade program creation.

(1) The
agency of natural resources and the public service board shall, through
appropriate rules and orders, establish a carbon cap and trade program that
will limit and then reduce the total carbon emissions released:

(A) by major electric
generating stations that provide electric power to Vermont utilities and
end-use customers;

(B) for
transportation purposes;

(C) for
space and process heating purposes.

(2) Vermont rules and orders establishing a carbon cap and trade program
shall be designed initially so as to permit the holders of carbon credits
to trade them in a regional market proposed to be established through the
RGGI. The program shall be expanded to address the carbon sources not
covered by RGGI, in coordination with efforts in other states, shall rely upon
auctions to determine allocations of permits for substantial sources of carbon,
shall be designed to strengthen linkages between greenhouse gas reduction
policies and other established programs such as RGGI, and shall pursue
recognizing more nonelectric sector initiatives as RGGI offsets. Consideration
shall be given to allowing the trading of credits among RGGI-certified state
greenhouse gas cap and trade programs.

(c)
Allocation of tradable carbon credits.

(1) The
secretary of natural resources, by rule, shall establish a set of annual carbon
budgets for emissions associated with the electric power sector in Vermont
consistent with the 2005 RGGI MOU, including any amendments to that MOU, and on
a reciprocal basis with the other states participating in the RGGI process. Similarly,
the secretary, by rule, shall establish a set of annual carbon budgets for
emissions associated with transportation, space heating, and industrial
processes.

(2) In
order to provide the maximum long-term benefit to Vermont electric
consumers, particularly benefits that will result from accelerated and
sustained investments in energy efficiency and other low-cost, low-carbon power
system, transportation system, and other investments, the public service
board, by rule or order, shall establish a process to allocate 100 percent of
the Vermont statewide budget of tradable power sector carbon credits and the
proceeds from the sale of those credits through allocation to one or more
trustees acting on behalf of consumers in accordance with the following principles.
To the extent feasible, the allocation plan shall accomplish the following
goals:

(A)
minimize windfall financial gains to power generators and other consumers of
fossil fuels as a result of the operation of the cap and trade program,
considering both the costs that power generators and other consumers
of fossil fuels may incur to participate in the program and any power
revenue increases they are likely to receive as a result of changes in regional
power markets;

(B) employ
an administrative structure that will enable program managers to perform any
combination of holding, banking, and selling carbon credits in regional,
national, and international carbon credit markets in a financially responsible
and market-sensitive fashion, and provide funds to defray the reasonable costs
of the program trustee or trustees and Vermont’s pro-rata share of the costs of
the RGGI regional organization and of any other regional cap and trade
organization;

(C)
optimize the revenues received from the management and sale of carbon credits
for the benefit of Vermont electric customers, fossil fuel consumers,
and the Vermont economy;

(D)
minimize any incentives from operation of the cap and trade program for Vermont
utilities or fossil fuel consumers to increase the overall carbon
emissions associated with serving their customers;

(E) build
upon existing regulatory and administrative structures and programs that lower
power, transportation, and heating costs, improve efficiency, and lower
the state’s carbon profile of the state’s power supply while
minimizing adverse impacts on electric system reliability and unnecessary costs
to Vermont power consumers, assuring transportation needs are able to be met
at affordable prices, and assuring the availability of adequate space heat and
processing heat for residential, commercial, and industrial purposes;

(F) ensure
that carbon credits allocated under the RGGI portion of this program and
revenues associated with their sale remain power system assets managed for the
benefit of electric consumers, particularly benefits that will result from
accelerated and sustained investments in energy efficiency and other low-cost,
low-carbon power system investments, and ensure that carbon credits
allocated under the other portions of the program and the associated revenues
remain assets managed for the benefit of transportation consumers and consumers
of space heat and process heat;

(G) where
practicable, support efforts recommended by the agency of natural resources or
the department of public service to stimulate or support investment in the
development of innovative power sector carbon emissions abatement
technologies that have significant carbon reduction potential.

(d)
Appointment of consumer trustees. The public service board, by rule, order, or
competitive solicitation, may appoint one or more consumer trustees to receive,
hold, bank, and sell tradable carbon credits created under this program.
Trustees may include Vermont electric distribution utilities, the fiscal agent
collecting and disbursing funds to support the statewide efficiency utility, or
a financial institution or other entity with the expertise and financial
resources to manage a portfolio of carbon credits for the long-term benefit of Vermont consumers.

(e)
Reports. By January 15 of each year, commencing in 2007, the department of
public service in consultation with the agency of natural resources and the
public service board shall provide to the house and senate committees on
natural resources and energy, the senate committee on finance, and the house
committee on commerce a report detailing the implementation and operation of
RGGI, the implementation and operation of the expanded cap and trade
program, and the revenues collected and the expenditures made under this
section, together with recommended principles to be followed in the allocation
of funds.

(f)
Program expansion. The agency of natural resources and the public service
board shall endeavor to coordinate with surrounding states the timing of the
program expansion under this section, or the establishment of a separate cap
and trade program for greenhouse gas emissions that are not subject to RGGI.

Sec. 20. VERMONT RESOURCE TRUST

(a) The Vermont resource trust is established, to consist of nine
members who shall not be members of the general assembly at the time of
appointment. Members shall include the state treasurer together with one
member appointed by the speaker of the house, one member appointed by the
committee on committees, and two members appointed by the governor, one of whom
shall be a board member of the Vermont climate collaborative. In addition,
there shall be a chair and a vice chair appointed by joint action of the
speaker of the house, the committee on committees, and the governor, and two additional
public members appointed in this manner. Members shall be appointed who have
skills and knowledge that will support the needs of the trust, which may
include persons with knowledge of business, “green” business and technology,
economics, public health, public utilities, ecological science, carbon trading,
transportation and land use planning and development, forestry and ecology,
waste management, and education.

(b) The powers of the trust are vested in its members, and a quorum
shall consist of five members. No action of the trust shall be considered
valid unless the action is supported by a majority vote of its members. The
trust shall be entitled to staff assistance from the natural resources board
and from the agency of natural resources, which shall coordinate any requested
assistance from state agencies and departments. The trust shall invite public
input, form task forces, work with stakeholder groups and state entities, work
with local, state-based, and national interest groups, and take other
appropriate steps to gather information and develop its recommendations.

(c) The primary mission of the trust shall be:

(1) to identify barriers to be overcome in reducing the greenhouse
gas emissions of the state;

(2) to identify areas that merit priority consideration in this
regard because of their ease of implementation and their potential to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions;

(3) to develop recommendations for ways to overcome those barriers;

(4) to identify resource needs and funding options; and

(5) to facilitate state and private entities in addressing these
issues.

(d) In this process, the trust shall consider the recommendations of
the governor’s commission on climate change and its plenary group, the
recommendations of the Vermont council on rural development, and other
approaches, and shall work with the Vermont climate collaborative and other
interested persons and groups.

(e) The trust shall present an initial report to the general assembly
by no later than January 5, 2009, and biennially thereafter. The report shall
include any recommendations for whether the trust shall continue to exist
subsequent to submitting its report, and proposed legislative language, if
necessary.

*
* * State Treasurer * * *

Sec. 21. 32
V.S.A. § 433(d) is added to read:

(d) In a manner consistent with the guidelines developed under this
section, the treasurer may invest in projects that are eligible under the clean
energy development fund established under 10 V.S.A. § 6523 and in other
appropriate mechanisms in order to promote investment in innovative and
profitable clean technology businesses and industries in the state. The
treasurer shall give particular attention to investments that would: generate
attractive returns both in the short term and long term; leverage significant
and positive interest in the private sector venture capital markets; create
jobs and economic growth in clean energy and technology industries in Vermont;
and promote greater energy independence and environmental protection for the
state.

*
* * Appraised Value of Energy Measures * * *

Sec. 22. 32
V.S.A. § 3481 is amended to read:

§ 3481. DEFINITIONS

The
following definitions shall apply in this Part and chapter 101 of this title,
pertaining to the listing of property for taxation:

(1)
“Appraisal value” shall mean,:

(A) with respect to
property enrolled in a use value appraisal program, the use value appraisal as
defined in subdivision 3752(12) of this title, multiplied by the common level
of appraisal, and with respect to all other property, the estimated fair market
value. The estimated fair market value of a property is the price which the
property will bring in the market when offered for sale and purchased by
another, taking into consideration all the elements of the availability of the
property, its use both potential and prospective, any functional deficiencies,
and all other elements such as age and condition which combine to give property
a market value. Those elements shall include a consideration of a decrease in
value in nonrental residential property due to a housing subsidy covenant as
defined in section 610 of Title 27, or the effect of any state or local law or
regulation affecting the use of land, including but not limited to chapter 151
of Title 10 or any land capability plan established in furtherance or
implementation thereof, rules adopted by the state board of health and any
local or regional zoning ordinances or development plans. In determining
estimated fair market value, the sale price of the property in question is one
element to consider, but is not solely determinative.

(B) For residential rental
property that is subject to a housing subsidy covenant or other legal
restriction, imposed by a governmental,

quasi-governmental, or
public purpose entity, on rents that may be charged, fair market value shall be
determined by an income approach using the following elements:

(A)(i) market rents with
utility allowance adjustments for the geographic area in which the property is
located as determined by the federal office of Housing and Urban Development or
in the case of properties authorized under 42 U.S.C. § 1437, 12 U.S.C. § 1701q,
42 U.S.C. § 1485, 12 U.S.C. § 1715z-1, 42 U.S.C. § 1437f, and 24 CFR Part 882
Subpart D and E, the higher of contract rents (meaning the amount of federal
rental assistance plus any tenant contribution) and HUD market rents;

(B)(ii) actual expenses
incurred with respect to the property which shall be provided by the property
owner in a format acceptable to the commissioner and certified by an
independent third party, such as a certified public accounting firm or public
or quasi-public funding agency;

(C)(iii) a vacancy rate that is
50 percent of the market vacancy rate as determined by the United States Census
Bureau with local review by the Vermont housing finance agency; and

(D)(iv) a capitalization rate
that is typical for the geographic area determined and published annually prior
to April 1 by the division of property valuation and review after consultation
with the Vermont housing finance agency.

(C)
“Appraisal value” shall not include the value of renewable energy and energy
efficiency components in or on a building. “Value of renewable energy and
energy efficiency components” means the original cost of, and installation
charges for, any or all of the following:

Sec. 22,
amending 32 V.S.A. § 3481 (exclusion of energy efficiency components from tax
appraisal value), shall apply to energy efficiency components incorporated into
or added to any building and completed on or after April 1, 2009.

*
* * Weatherization Program * * *

Sec. 24. 33
V.S.A. § 2502(b) is amended to read:

(b) In
addition, the director shall supplement, or supplant, any federal program with
a state home weatherization assistance program providing:

* * *

(3)
funding for the installation of solar domestic hot water systems on eligible
homes.

*
* * Methane Digesters * * *

Sec. 25.
REGIONAL DAIRY METHANE DIGESTERS

(a) The secretary of agriculture, food and markets, in conjunction
with the commissioner of public service, shall seek federal funding to evaluate
the potential for manure management centers at potential sites for regional
dairy bio-digesters. In particular, the initiative shall examine the technical
and economic feasibility of collecting dairy waste, transporting it, digesting
it to produce energy, and returning digested manure to participating farms.

(b) The secretary of natural resources shall review and make appropriate
regulatory revisions or recommend appropriate statutory amendments to its
regulatory programs that may be preventing the use of wastes, such as food
processing wastes, whey, and brewers’ waste, in farm-based methane digester
systems.

And that when so amended the bill ought to pass.

Senator Cummings, for the Committee on Finance, to which the bill was
referred, reported recommending that the bill be amended as recommended by the
Committee on Natural Resources and Energy with the following amendments
thereto:

First: By striking out Sec.16 [amending 30 V.S.A. § 209(d)
relating to line extensions] in its entirety.

Second: By striking out Sec. 17 [adding 30 V.S.A. § 218(e)
relating to returns on equity] in its entirety.

Third: In Sec. 20 subsection (a), in the first sentence, by
striking out the word: “nine” and inserting the word eight and in
the second sentence, by striking out the words “the state treasurer together
with”

Fourth: By striking out Sec. 21 [adding 32 V.S.A. § 433(d)
relating to the state treasurer] in its entirety.

Senator Bartlett, for the Committee on Appropriations, to which the bill
was referred, reported the same without recommendation.

Thereupon, the bill was read the second time by title only pursuant to
Rule 43, and pending the question, Shall the recommendation of amendment
of the Committee on Natural Resources and Energy be amended as recommended by
the Committee on Finance?, Senator Cummings requested and was granted leave to
withdraw the third recommendation of amendment of the Committee on
Finance.

Thereupon,
the question, Shall the recommendation of amendment of the Committee on Natural
Resources and Energy be amended as recommended by the Committee on Finance in
the first, second, fourth and fifth recommendations of
amendment?, was decided in the affirmative.

Thereupon, pending the question, Shall the bill be amended as recommended
by the Committee on Natural Resources and Energy, as amended?, Senators Lyons
and MacDonald moved to amend the recommendation of the Committee on Natural
Resources and Energy, as amended as follows:

First:
By striking out Sec. 19 [amending 30 V.S.A. § 255 relating to RGGI] in its
entirety, and by adding a new section to read:

Sec. 3a. 10
V.S.A. § 578 is amended to read:

§ 578. GREENHOUSE GAS
REDUCTION GOALS

(a) General
goal of greenhouse gas reduction. It is the goal of the state to reduce
emissions of greenhouse gases from within the geographical boundaries of the
state and those emissions outside the boundaries of the state that are caused
by the use of energy in Vermont in order to make an appropriate contribution to
achieving the regional goals of reducing emissions of greenhouse gases from the
1990 baseline by:

(1) 25
percent by January 1, 2012;

(2) 50
percent by January 1, 2028;

(3) if
practicable using reasonable efforts, 75 percent by January 1, 2050.

(b) Climate
change action plan. The secretary will coordinate with the governor's
commission on climate change established by executive order and will consult
with any interested members of Vermont's business, agricultural, labor, and
environmental communities in developing a climate change action plan. The
secretary shall notify each member of the general assembly of the development
of this plan and of the opportunity for public comment. This plan shall be
developed in a manner that implements state energy policy, as specified in 30
V.S.A. § 202a. Not later than September 1, 2007, the secretary shall present
this plan to the committees of the general assembly having jurisdiction over
matters relating to the environment, agriculture, energy, transportation,
commerce, and public health.

(c) Implementation of climate change action plan. In order to facilitate
the state's compliance with the goals established in this section, all state
agencies shall consider, whenever practicable, any increase or decrease in
greenhouse gas emissions in their decision-making procedures with respect to
the purchase and use of equipment and goods; the siting, construction, and
maintenance of buildings; the assignment of personnel; and the planning, design
and operation of programs, services and infrastructure. In addition, on or
before January 1, 2010, giving due regard to the recommendations of the Vermont
resource trust, the governor’s commission on climate change and its plenary
group, the Vermont council on rural development, and others, the secretaries of
the agencies of natural resources and transportation, and the commissioner of
public service each shall adopt rules, in accordance with 3 V.S.A. chapter 25,
to make appropriate and proportionate progress within their respective areas of
jurisdiction to meet the goals established by this section. These rules shall
be designed to:

(1) minimize costs and maximize the total benefit
to the state, encourage innovation, stimulate investment in low greenhouse gas
technologies and encourage early action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions;

(2) ensure that compliance with the rules furthers
rather than conflicts with federal and state ambient air quality standards and
goals to reduce toxic air contaminant emissions;

(3) weigh overall societal potential benefits,
including reductions in other air pollutants, diversification of energy
sources, and other benefits to the economy, environment and public health;

(4) ensure that activities undertaken to comply
with the rules do not disproportionately impact low-income communities;

(5) minimize the administrative burden of
implementing and

complying with the rules;

(6) consider the significance of the contribution
of each source or category of sources to state-wide greenhouse gas emissions;
and

(7) result in greenhouse gas emission reductions
that are real, permanent, quantifiable, verifiable and enforceable.

(d) Cost determinations. To determine the cost
effectiveness of these rules, the secretary or commissioner shall accord to
greenhouse gas emissions a cost per ton of carbon dioxide as determined by the
current Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative or federal allowance price,
whichever is higher.

(e) Report on effectiveness of rules. The
secretaries and the commissioner shall work cooperatively to monitor and
enforce compliance with this section and the rules adopted pursuant to this
section. Reports on the effectiveness of these rules shall be submitted to the
legislative committees on natural resources and energy and on transportation on
July 1, 2012, and triennially thereafter.

(f) Advocacy for cap and trade program for
greenhouse gases. In order to increase the likelihood of the state meeting the
goals established under this section, the secretary of natural resources and
commissioner of public service shall advocate before appropriate regional or
national entities and working groups in favor of the establishment of a
regional or national cap and trade program for greenhouse gas emissions. This
may take the form of an expansion of the existing regional greenhouse gas
initiative (RGGI), or it may entail the creation of an entirely new and
separate regional or national cap and trade initiative.

Second:
In Sec. 20 [Vermont Resources Trust] subsection (a), after the words “state
treasurer” by inserting the words or a designee

Third:
In Sec. 20, in subsection (c), before the colon, by adding the following: to
consider the recommendations of the governor’s commission on climate change and
its plenary group and the recommendations of the Vermont council on rural
development

Fourth:
In Sec. 20, by striking out subsection (d) in its entirety and inserting in
lieu thereof the following:

(d) In this process, the trust shall work with the Vermont climate
collaborative and other interested persons and groups.

Fifth:
In Sec. 20, subsection (e), in the first sentence, by striking out the
following: “, and biennially thereafter” and in the second sentence
after the word “report” by striking out the word “shall” and
inserting the word may

And by
renumbering the sections of the bill to be numerically correct.

Which was agreed to.

Thereupon, pending the question, Shall the bill be amended as recommended
by the Committee on Natural Resources and Energy, as amended?, Senators
Kitchel, Bartlett, Mazza and Scott moved to amend the recommendation of the
Committee on Natural Resources and Energy, as amended, by striking out
Secs. 11, 12 and 14 in their entirety. Thereupon, Senator Kitchel
requested and was granted leave to withdraw the recommendation of amendment.

Thereupon, pending the question, Shall the bill be amended as recommended
by the Committee on Natural Resources and Energy, as amended?, Senator Lyons on
behalf of the Committee on Natural Resources and Energy, requested and was granted
leave to withdraw Secs. 11, 12 and 14 from the recommendation of amendment
of the Committee on Natural Resources and Energy, as amended.

Thereupon, pending the question, Shall the bill be amended as recommended
by the Committee on Natural Resources and Energy, as amended?, Senator Lyons
moved to amend the recommendation of the Committee on Natural Resources and Energy,
as amended in Sec. 15, 30 V.S.A. §202(i), relating to combined heat and
power, before the period at the end of the first sentence, by adding the
following: or by non-qualifying SPEED resources, as defined in section 8002
of this title

Which was agreed to.

Thereupon, the pending question, Shall the bill be amended as recommended
by the Committee on Natural Resources and Energy, as amended?, was decided in
the affirmative.

Thereupon, third reading of the bill was ordered.

Third
Reading Ordered

S. 371.

Senate committee bill entitled:

An act relating to the creation of an agency of education and the
elimination of the state board of education.

Having appeared on the Calendar for notice for one day, was taken up.

Senator Bartlett for the Committee on Appropriations, to which the bill
was referred, reported recommending that the bill ought to pass.

Thereupon, the bill was read the second time by title only pursuant to
Rule 43, and third reading of the bill was ordered on a roll call, Yeas 20,
Nays 9.

Senator Starr having demanded the yeas and nays, they were taken and are
as follows:

The
following joint concurrent resolutions, having been placed on the consent
calendar on the preceding legislative day, and no Senator having requested
floor consideration as provided by the Joint Rules of the Senate and House of
Representatives, are hereby adopted on the part of the Senate:

By Senators Doyle, Illuzzi and Mazza,

By
Representative Emmons and others,

S.C.R.
39.

Senate concurrent resolution in memory of former Legislative Council
operations' manager Dulcina Goulette-Sabourin.

[The
full text of the Senate concurrent resolutions appeared in the Senate calendar
addendum for Thursday, April 4, 2008, and, if adopted in concurrence by the
House, will appear in the volume of the Public Acts and Resolves to be
published for this session of the sixty-ninth biennial session of the Vermont
General Assembly.]

House
Concurrent Resolutions

The
following joint concurrent resolutions having been placed on the consent
calendar on the preceding legislative day, and no Senator having requested
floor consideration as provided by the Joint Rules of the Senate and House of
Representatives, are hereby adopted in concurrence:

H.C.R.
255

House concurrent resolution congratulating the South Royalton Woman’s
Club on the 100th anniversary of its membership in the State Federation of
Women’s Clubs

House concurrent resolution recognizing the role of registered nurses in the delivery of health
care in Vermont

Offered by: Representative Donovan and others

H.C.R.
257

House concurrent resolution congratulating the Gaines Farm on its receipt
of a 2008 Vermont Centennial Business Award

Offered by: Representatives O'Donnell and Pillsbury

H.C.R.
258

House concurrent resolution congratulating the Brattleboro Reformer
on its receipt of a 2008 Vermont Centennial Business Award

Offered by: Representative O'Donnell and others

H.C.R.
259

House concurrent resolution congratulating the 2008 Essex High School
Hornets championship gymnastics team

Offered by: Representative Myers and others

H.C.R.
260

House concurrent resolution in memory of Violet Coffin of Stratford

Offered by: Representatives Cheney and Masland

Offered by: Senators Campbell, MacDonald, McCormack and Nitka

H.C.R.
261

House concurrent resolution in memory of the American military
personnel who have died in the service of their nation in Iraq from December 20, 2007 through March 27, 2008

Offered by: Representative Obuchowski and others

H.C.R. 262

House concurrent resolution congratulating the Middlebury Inn on its
receipt of a 2008 Vermont Centennial Business Award

Offered by: Representatives Nuovo and Maier

Offered by: Senators Ayer and Giard

H.C.R.
263

House concurrent resolution congratulating Chipman Point on its receipt
of a 2008 Vermont Centennial Business Award

Offered by: Representatives Stevens and Bray

Offered by: Senators Ayer and Giard

H.C.R.
264

House concurrent resolution congratulating The Palms Restaurant on its
diamond anniversary

Offered by: Representative Howard and others

[The
full text of the House concurrent resolutions appeared in the Senate calendar
addendum for Thursday, April 4, 2008, and will appear in the volume of the
Public Acts and Resolves to be published for this session of the sixty-ninth
biennial session of the Vermont General Assembly.]

Adjournment

On motion of Senator Shumlin, the Senate adjourned, to reconvene on
Tuesday, April 8, 2008, at nine o’clock and thirty minutes in the forenoon
pursuant to J.R.S. 61.